DOHA Bank has launched a new product – ‘Green account’ – which aims to eliminate the use of paper and contribute to environmental protection. Customers opting for Doha Bank’s ‘Green Banking Products’ including salary transfer and savings and current accounts will be given incentives including cash back, free electronic bill payment, e-remit and access to Doha Souq, the bank’s online buying and selling portal. Doha Bank Group CEO, R Seetharaman said ‘Green Banking Products’ would be available from January 25. “We are the first bank in the region to offer this product. The concept has been evolved with the aim of contributing to environment protection. We want to encourage every customer to take part in the national initiative. Our mission is to support Qatar’s noble vision of sustainable development,” Seetharaman said. Doha Bank senior manager Nabil Tabbara said a one-time cash back of QR50 would be given to all existing account holders who shift to ‘Green Banking’. They can open salary transfer, savings or current accounts. Although current account holders under Green Banking would have cheque book facility, only limited number of leaves (maximum five at a time) will be provided. This is to minimise environment pollution. “But paper printouts will not be issued to Green Banking customers seeking statements through Doha Bank ATMs. They can get only e-statements,” Tabbara said. He said cash back of QR10 a month would be given for a year to every customer opening ‘Green Accounts’. Free electronic bill payment, e-remit and access to Doha Souq are some of the other incentives. Doha Bank’s head (IT) U V K Kumar said some 15 leading merchants have already partnered with Doha Souq. This number will increase in the coming months. Customers can purchase a range of products including food stuff, cosmetics to flowers through the online buying and selling portal. He said merchants have agreed to provide home delivery within Doha. Customers could open Green Banking accounts through Doha Bank’s online banking channel, branches or call centre. Doha Bank has been applauded by the award for “Best Green Bank in the Middle East” in 2008 by the Banker Middle East. Doha Bank has also signed a MoU with Ecoinvest for carbon emission risk management services, carbon emission advisory services and carbon emission credit origination services in India and the Middle East markets. More details on Doha Bank’s ‘Green Banking’ products can be had from www.dohabank.com.qa or 4456000. http://gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=268138&version=1&template_id=36&parent_id=16

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